BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. As global conflicts and wars escalate, countries are increasingly looking for new ways to collaborate. Traditional forms of international cooperation are being replaced by new organizations that unite a broad range of states with a shared vision of the world order. One such organization promoting new forms of collaboration is BRICS.
BRICS is a group made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It was established to foster economic cooperation and political dialogue among its members. The main objectives of BRICS include boosting trade relations, supporting sustainable growth, and enhancing international financial cooperation. The BRICS countries represent rapidly growing economies with significant influence on global issues.
From October 22 to 24, the BRICS summit will take place in Kazan, where representatives from 32 countries, including 24 heads of state, are expected to attend. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is also anticipated to participate in the event.
A major topic at the summit will be BRICS expansion. Azerbaijan first expressed its interest in joining the bloc during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana in July 2024, where Azerbaijan and China signed a joint declaration on establishing a strategic partnership. The declaration underscored Azerbaijan’s intent to join BRICS, with China voicing strong support for the move.
On August 20 this year, Baku formally submitted its application to join BRICS. For Azerbaijan, joining the organization offers the opportunity to strengthen international ties and enhance economic cooperation with emerging economies, aligning with its broader foreign policy goals.
One of the key issues on the BRICS agenda is the development of transport infrastructure to facilitate trade routes, including investments in roads, railways, and ports to support transit activities between member states.
Baku has long positioned itself as a major transit hub in the region. Azerbaijan has made substantial investments in infrastructure, including railroads, highways, and logistics centers. In 2023, the country achieved a record cargo volume of approximately 18-19 million tons, with the ambitious goal of increasing that to 30 million tons annually by 2030. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway plays a crucial role in the Middle Corridor, facilitating cross-border goods movement.
Azerbaijan’s strategic location as a bridge between Europe and Asia has strengthened its economic ties with BRICS countries. Central to this strategy is Azerbaijan’s role in the Middle Corridor—the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. As BRICS countries increasingly seek to diversify trade routes and expand connectivity, Azerbaijan’s key role in this corridor aligns well with their goals.
This issue is especially relevant amid ongoing peace negotiations between Baku and Yerevan. As part of this agreement, a new route in the South Caucasus, the Zangezur Corridor, is expected to open. This corridor is anticipated to significantly increase cargo volumes through the Middle Corridor, helping Azerbaijan reach its ambitious targets.
Azerbaijan’s status as a major energy supplier, especially of oil and gas, also plays a key role in its cooperation with BRICS. Countries like China and India are eager to diversify their energy sources, and they see Azerbaijan as a valuable partner. With its large oil and gas reserves, Azerbaijan is an attractive option for BRICS nations. Additionally, Azerbaijan is investing in renewable energy projects as part of a broader effort to diversify its energy portfolio and meet global sustainable development goals. This shift is likely to appeal to BRICS countries, particularly given their focus on sustainability.
Investment cooperation with BRICS nations is also vital for Azerbaijan. BRICS members such as Iran, the UAE, and Russia are among the top sources of foreign direct investment in Azerbaijan, with a combined total of nearly half a billion dollars. Notably, Russia, China, and India rank among Azerbaijan’s leading trade partners.
BRICS countries’ interest in Azerbaijan reflects the dynamic development of the country. Under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has become a key player in the region, attracting interest from global stakeholders. Both European and Asian leaders have confidence in Azerbaijan and are proposing new avenues for cooperation. Azerbaijan offers effective forms of partnership, promising investment opportunities, and emerging transit routes. Thanks to Azerbaijan, the Middle Corridor has gained increased relevance.
Overall, BRICS countries have significant opportunities to invest in Azerbaijan’s infrastructure, agriculture, and technology sectors. Recent economic reforms and involvement in international projects have made Azerbaijan an even more attractive investment destination.
Azerbaijan’s application to join BRICS is currently under review. If successful, Azerbaijan stands to benefit from expanded economic cooperation, access to new markets, and involvement in major infrastructure projects associated with the bloc. For BRICS, gaining Azerbaijan as a partner means welcoming the largest economy in the South Caucasus, a reliable ally, and a key player in global economic initiatives.